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\t\t\tVice President J.D. Vance speaks during the Defend Our Future event Monday at Compotech in Brewer.\n (Joe Phelan\/Staff Photographer)<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVice President J.D. Vance speaks during the Defend Our Future event Monday at Compotech in Brewer.
\n (Joe Phelan\/Staff Photographer)<\/p>\n
BREWER \u2014 Vice President JD Vance on Monday visited a defense technology manufacturer to promote Trump administration policies and campaign for Maine Republicans ahead of the November election.<\/p>\n
Vance\u2019s appearance at Compotech marked the second time this year the vice president has visited Maine, following a rally in May at the Bangor International Airport<\/a>, where he talked largely about efforts to combat Medicaid fraud. <\/p>\n Vance was greeted by a friendly and enthusiastic crowd inside a warehouse at the business, which makes quick-setup composite fencing systems<\/a> that\u00a0protect soldiers\u00a0from blast and ballistic threats. A handful of people protested outside, carrying signs that read \u201cResist\u201d and \u201cGo Home Hillbilly\u201d (a reference to Vance\u2019s book Hillbilly Elegy).<\/p>\n Here are key takeaways from the visit. <\/p>\n Vance was in Maine to promote American manufacturing jobs \u2014 and Trump policies.<\/p>\n Kelly Loeffler, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, introduced Vance and spoke about Compotech<\/a>, saying that the business is the fastest-growing manufacturer in Maine. The company<\/a> has been helped in part by Trump administration policies to cut taxes and regulations, she said.<\/p>\n Vance said he wants to reward employers like Compotech. The administration is already doing so through legislation such as the Working Families Tax Cuts Act<\/a>, which was part of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act President Donald Trump signed into law in 2025, he said.<\/p>\n The legislation extended key provisions of 2017 tax cuts, implemented new exemptions for tipped and overtime income, and adjusted standard deductions and child tax credits. (Maine has not adopted all the provisions of the bill<\/a>, including the tax breaks for tips and overtime.) <\/p>\n \u201cThis business is perfect example of what we want to see thrive,\u201d Vance said. \u201cWe want to see businesses and workers investing in their communities.\u201d <\/p>\n Medicaid fraud remains a major issue of concern for Republicans. <\/p>\n Vance and the Maine Republicans who introduced him highlighted fraud in the state\u2019s Medicaid system, MaineCare, as a major issue. The state stopped payments to a Portland-based MaineCare provider and referred the case to the Office of the Maine Attorney General last year following fraud allegations. Another four providers have also had payments stopped<\/a> since then following suspected fraud or mismanagement.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\tVice President J.D. Vance speaks during the Defend Our Future event Monday August 24, 2026 at Compotech in Brewer. \t\t\t\tView 10 photos<\/p>\n In addition, a federal audit in January revealed that the state had made $46 million in improper payments<\/a> for autism services in 2023. Critics say the findings raise questions about the integrity of Maine\u2019s Medicaid program, though the state said at the time the audit only \u201cidentified potential documentation and compliance issues\u201d that it is reviewing. <\/p>\n Vance said the federal government has reached out to Gov. Janet Mills\u2019 administration and the attorney general\u2019s office but, \u201cI don\u2019t have a great amount of confidence that they\u2019re going to lean into this antifraud effort.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou see people saying they\u2019re providing healthcare services, collecting a whole lot of money, but not doing a single bit of healthcare,\u201d Vance said. \u201cIt\u2019s got to stop.\u201d <\/p>\n Mills, a Democrat, said in a statement Monday that the state is continuing its work on tackling fraud. <\/p>\n \u201cIf the vice president is serious about fraud, he\u2019d be better off starting with his boss, Donald Trump, who is using his office to enrich himself and his family, building himself a lavish new ballroom at taxpayer expense, and wasting billions on a needless war with Iran \u2014 one he promised he would never wage \u2014 while his endless tariffs on Canada drive up costs for Maine people,\u201d Mills said.<\/p>\n Elections loomed large over Monday\u2019s visit.<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/people\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1788061321_391_43762275_20260824_Vance_160058.jpg\")
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\n (Joe Phelan\/Staff Photographer)<\/p>\n